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Gunsan

 
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ktkates87



Joined: 13 Apr 2010
Location: Busan

PostPosted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 5:45 pm    Post subject: Gunsan Reply with quote

Im trying to search up some threads/information about Gunsan but seem to only be able to find job ads!!

Anybody have some words for what it's like living there? My partner and I have been offered a couples position in August there, and so far everything is checking out and we're curious to hear other people's opinions of the place.

We are in our mid 20s, not huge party-goers/drinkers so not really fixated on having a bit seoul-style party scene.

We would also welcome any information about dog kennels/boarding facilities that exist in that area as we are planning on bringing our dog!

Thanks for all your help!!
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chickenpie



Joined: 24 Dec 2008

PostPosted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 7:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I visit Gunsan quite often as my wife's family live there.

I would really like to live there in the future, the city is not too big and is surrounded my beautiful mountains, there is a huge lake there as well.

There is a huge American army/air force base near by, the shops carry all the things you would be able to find in Seoul.

Don't know anything about dog kennels though.
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eamo



Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

PostPosted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's just an unglamorous mid-sized city in and unglamorous part of Korea. Nothing to really praise or criticize it for.

You'll most likely find lots of videos on Youtube related to Gunsan posted by teachers and military so you can get an idea of what the place looks like.
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moosehead



Joined: 05 May 2007

PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

depending on where you are exactly I've heard Gunsan gets blitzed pretty regular with flyovers of U.S. military jets doing training exercises.

you might want to take that into consideration if you think it might bother you.
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SpiralStaircase



Joined: 14 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 3:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

chickenpie wrote:
I visit Gunsan quite often as my wife's family live there.

I would really like to live there in the future, the city is not too big and is surrounded my beautiful mountains, there is a huge lake there as well.

There is a huge American army/air force base near by, the shops carry all the things you would be able to find in Seoul.

Don't know anything about dog kennels though.


Ummm... no.

A) Gunsan is not surrounded by beautiful mountains. It is home to 1 glorified hill (Wolmyoung).

B) You will not have access to the US base unless you have a friend that works there.

I have lived in Gunsan, Jeonju, Gangneung, and Busan. Gunsan is by far the dirtiest, smelliest, noisiest of the bunch. The sand/pollution in spring/summer is overwhelming. Lots of action in the skies.

Not all bad...
Eunpa lake is nice.
Cherry Blossoms are a hit.
Food/restaurants are great.
One neat temple in Naundong and a giant climbing wall too.

Livable? Yes. Ideal? Absolutely not.
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chickenpie



Joined: 24 Dec 2008

PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 3:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A) Gunsan is not surrounded by beautiful mountains. It is home to 1 glorified hill (Wolmyoung). I'm used to traveling around Gunsan by car so get to alot of the beautiful mountain around there.



B) You will not have access to the US base unless you have a friend that works there. I never said anyone would have access to the base, you seem to have a problem reading. I just said "the shops carry all the things you would be able to find in Seoul."
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diver



Joined: 16 Jun 2003

PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SpiralStaircase wrote:
chickenpie wrote:
I visit Gunsan quite often as my wife's family live there.

I would really like to live there in the future, the city is not too big and is surrounded my beautiful mountains, there is a huge lake there as well.

There is a huge American army/air force base near by, the shops carry all the things you would be able to find in Seoul.

Don't know anything about dog kennels though.


Ummm... no.

A) Gunsan is not surrounded by beautiful mountains. It is home to 1 glorified hill (Wolmyoung).

B) You will not have access to the US base unless you have a friend that works there.

I have lived in Gunsan, Jeonju, Gangneung, and Busan. Gunsan is by far the dirtiest, smelliest, noisiest of the bunch. The sand/pollution in spring/summer is overwhelming. Lots of action in the skies.

Not all bad...
Eunpa lake is nice.
Cherry Blossoms are a hit.
Food/restaurants are great.
One neat temple in Naundong and a giant climbing wall too.

Livable? Yes. Ideal? Absolutely not.


I haven't been to Gunsan in years....Thank God...
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SpiralStaircase



Joined: 14 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 2:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

chickenpie wrote:
A) Gunsan is not surrounded by beautiful mountains. It is home to 1 glorified hill (Wolmyoung). I'm used to traveling around Gunsan by car so get to alot of the beautiful mountain around there.



B) You will not have access to the US base unless you have a friend that works there. I never said anyone would have access to the base, you seem to have a problem reading. I just said "the shops carry all the things you would be able to find in Seoul."


Allow me to summarize:

There is a great military base that you will not have access to.

There are mountains you can drive to.

There is a lake.

Thanks for your valued input chickenpie. You are an asset to the community.

OP: If you�re looking for quiet and clean you are looking in the wrong place. I highly recommend Gangwon-do. Sokcho/Gangneung. Jobs are plentiful and the areas are breathtaking.
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SpiralStaircase



Joined: 14 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

I haven't been to Gunsan in years....Thank God...


That would be the overwhelming consensus�

OP: Are you looking at hakwons, public schools, or business (I believe HANGLASS and BASF employ direct)?

I know of a few private schools that you would want to steer clear of.
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ktkates87



Joined: 13 Apr 2010
Location: Busan

PostPosted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We ended up saying nay to the position. We had also been offered jobs in Ilsan, and went in that direction in the end.

After we turned down the position for Gunsan we got an email saying that the director was still interested and was willing to bump up the salary or negotiate housing if we would reconsider....I thought that odd/a red flag but maybe thats just me. Hopefully Im not regretting that in the future lol.
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Underwaterbob



Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Location: In Cognito

PostPosted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've only visited briefly and thought it was one of the most unpleasant places I've ever been to in Korea. I have a couple acquaintances that live there and apparently quite like it.
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chickenpie



Joined: 24 Dec 2008

PostPosted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My view was quite biased as I have a huge amount of family there.

Always really enjoyed it there. Confused
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diver



Joined: 16 Jun 2003

PostPosted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 9:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kunsan (I still spell it that way) was my first city in Korea (Thank you Mike oh of the Bok-Ji Corporation - hope you enjoyed your scotch...and there are VERY few posters on this board that will get that reference).

Anyway, I am at Pearson Airport in Toronto. I go into a bookstore in the departure lounge (which, despite all the hoopla, I think Pearson is STILL a better airport than Incheon) to buy a book for the long flight.

The girl behind the counter is Asian. It went like this:

Girl: Where are you going?
Me: Er...Korea.
Girl: Oh my God! I'm Korean. That's cool!
Me: Oh really? That's interesting. I am going to live there for a year.
Girl: Where are you going?
Me: Some place called Kunsan.
Girl: Oh, that's too bad. That's a horrible city. Here's your change...
Me: Shocked
PA Speaker: Air Canada flight 64 bound for Seoul now boarding.

And so I began the long march down the jetway. That was actually the last thing I heard before I got on the plane - "That's a horrible city. Here's your change."

Thank God for the USAF. Those guys really took care of me. I spent almost every weekend on base. Just like home...except for all the Americans Smile There were no Costcos, Emarts, Walmarts or much in the way of western fast food back then. Not much western food at all. If you wanted cheese, you had to ride the bus to Seoul and go to Jell Deli.
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gbrar4



Joined: 27 May 2010
Location: TORONTO

PostPosted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:22 am    Post subject: Moving to Downtown Gunsan In A week Reply with quote

I'm moving to Gunsan next week. I'm a 21 year old female from Toronto, Canada looking to make some friends.

If so, you can contact me at [email protected] (msn)
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